Does anyone know if there was ever any video of this amazing man? I understand that he provided music for Charlie Chaplin films, but I wonder if he even lived past silent films....

John Kimmel was an incredible virtuoso. I'd like to see transcriptions of his tunes. Marc Savoy is a big admirer.

An other great player was Alfred Montmarquette, born in NYC but a composer and recorder of Quebecois tunes. He has a recording available through Smithsonian/Folkways.

Both Kimmel and Montmarguette are well known names in Quebecois music and often spoke of with reverence. I have the vinyl of Montmarquette and it is well worth the money.

Quebec accordionist Raynald Ouellet from Montmagny (he's the founder of Carrefour Mondial de l'Accordion) and Denis Pépin & Christian Maes released a CD that focusses on Kimmel. That CD is a unique piece of reference worldwide. Here's a video of the interview Raynald gave (in French).http://www.myspace.com/johnkimmel/videos/video/107287242

on Link #2 above is the info on the CD. http://www.last.fm/music/Suzie+Lemay,+Christian+Maes,+Raynald+Ouellet+Et+Denis+Pépin/+images/75095018

Don't know, but I have two original records ( those round black things you put on a machine with a spinning table and a needle in the grooves).